Subaru Forester: Manual climate control system (if equipped)

Control panel

Control panel

1) Temperature control dial
2) Fan speed control dial
3) Airflow control dial
4) Control switch of the defogger and deicer system (Refer to “Defogger and deicer”.)
5) Air conditioner button
6) Air inlet selection button

Temperature control dial

This dial regulates the temperature of airflow from the air outlets over a range from the blue side (cool) to red side (warm).

Fan speed control dial

The fan operates only when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position. The fan speed control dial is used to select four fan speeds.

Airflow control dial

Each dial position activates the following air outlets.

(Ventilation): Instrument panel outlets

(Bi-level): Instrument panel outlets and foot outlets

(Heat): Foot outlets, both side outlets of the instrument panel and some through windshield defroster outlets (A small amount of air flows to the windshield and both side windows to prevent fogging.)

(Heat-def): Windshield defroster outlets, foot outlets and both side outlets of the instrument panel

: Windshield defroster outlets and both side outlets of the instrument panel

For details, refer to “Airflow selection”.

NOTE
When the dial is placed in the “” or “” position, the air conditioner compressor operates automatically regardless of the position of the air conditioner button to defog the windshield more quickly. However the indicator on the air conditioner button will not illuminate. At the same time, the air inlet selection is automatically set to “outside air” mode.

Also, you cannot stop the air conditioner compressor by pressing the air conditioner button.

Air conditioner button

Air conditioner button

The air conditioner operates only when the engine is running.

Push the air conditioner button while the fan is in operation to turn on the air conditioner. The indicator light will illuminate.

Push it again to turn off the air conditioner.

Air inlet selection button

Air inlet selection button

ON position (Recirculation): Interior air is recirculated inside the vehicle. Push the air inlet selection button to the ON position.

The indicator light will illuminate.

Place the air inlet selection button to the ON position for fast cooling with the air conditioner or when driving on a dusty road.

OFF position (Outside air): Outside air is drawn into the passenger compartment.

Push the air inlet selection button again to the OFF position. The indicator light will turn off.

Place the air inlet selection button to the OFF position when the interior has cooled to a comfortable temperature and the road is no longer dusty.

Continued operation with the air inlet selection button in the ON position may fog up the windows.

Switch to the OFF position as soon as the outside dusty condition clears.

Heater operation

NOTE
- Models with air conditioner system:
When the “” or “” position is selected, the air conditioner compressor automatically operates regardless of the position of the air conditioner button to defog the windshield more quickly. At the same time, the air inlet selection is automatically switched to the OFF position (outside air). However, the air conditioner indicator light does not illuminate at this time.

- When defrosting, defogging or heating, warm air is also emitted from the right and left air outlets. To stop warm airflow from these outlets, turn the corresponding thumb wheel down.

Defrosting or defogging the windshield

Defrosting or defogging the windshield

To direct warm air to the windshield and front door windows:
1. Set the airflow control dial to the “” position.

2. Turn the temperature control dial all the way to the right.

3. Set the fan speed control dial to the highest speed.

Heating and defrosting

Heating and defrosting

To direct warm air toward the floor and the windshield:
1. Set the airflow control dial to the “” position.

2. Set the temperature control dial to the most comfortable level.

3. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.

Heating

Heating

To direct warm air toward the floor:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the OFF position.

2. Set the airflow control dial to the “” position.

3. Set the temperature control dial to the most comfortable level.

4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.

Bi-level heating

Bi-level heating

This setting allows you to direct air of different temperatures from the instrument panel and foot outlets. The air from the foot outlets is slightly warmer than from the instrument panel outlets.

1. Set the air inlet selection button to the OFF position.

2. Set the airflow control dial to the “” position.

3. Set the temperature control dial to the desired temperature level.

4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.

Setting the temperature control dial fully turned to the red area or blue area decreases the temperature difference between the air from the instrument panel outlets and the air from the foot outlets.

Ventilation

Ventilation

To force outside air through the instrument panel outlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the OFF position.

2. Set the airflow control dial to the “” position.

3. Set the temperature control dial all the way left.

4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.

When driving on a dusty road, set the air inlet selection button to the “ON” position.

Continued operation with the air inlet selection button in the ON position may fog up the windows.

Switch to the OFF position as soon as the outside dusty condition clears.

Air conditioner operation

Cooling or dehumidifying

Cooling or dehumidifying

1) ON position

For cooling and dehumidification of the passenger compartment, performing the following steps will allow air to flow through the instrument panel outlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the OFF position.

2. Set the airflow control dial to the “” position.

3. Set the air conditioner button to the “ON” position.

4. Set the temperature control dial to the blue side.

5. Set the fan speed control dial at the highest speed.

Defrosting or defogging

Defrosting or defogging

To direct warm air to the windshield and front door windows:
1. Set the airflow control dial to the “” position.

2. Set the temperature control dial to the red side.

3. Set the fan speed control dial at the highest speed.

The air conditioner compressor automatically operates when the airflow control dial is set in the “” or “” position to provide better defogging performance.

Ventilator

Automatic climate control system (if equipped)